Creative Workshops at Pinetum Gardens

For things to do in St Austell, head to Pinetum Gardens where they will be playing host to a series of artistic workshops on Sunday 4 June (10am-2pm) ahead of a community dance show later in the month.

Visitors of all ages will be able to join in a variety of classes featuring everything from origami and photography to creative writing and children’s dance workshops.

The event, which is being organised by SpinDrift Dance Collective, will take place in different areas of the award-winning gardens.

There will the opportunity to write stories, poetry, songs and letters as part of a Creative Writing Drop In which will be held in the Pinetum Café between 10am-2pm, while the Arboretum will be staging a fun Children’s Dance Workshop from 11am-11.45am (suitable for ages five and above).

The Soul Bird Gardens will be the base for a Human Sculpture Photography Workshop from 12noon-1pm and there will be a Giant Origami Tree Decoration Drop In activity in the Japanese Garden from 12noon-2pm.

Each activity costs £2. No booking needed. Normal admission rates apply (children under 12 free).

The Creative Community workshops are taking place ahead of a mass participation dance theatre performance later in the month on Thursday, June 22nd.

The Soul Birds’ is a joint production between SpinDrift Dance Collective, FarFlung Dance Theatre, Cornwall College and the audience who will be invited to join in the fun with two performances at midday and 6pm.

Separated in to 10 different themed areas, visitors can explore the famous Pinetum which features 80 varieties of conifer including the giant redwood from America which can reach up to 90 metres in height.

Other highlights include the Japan Garden, inspired by visits to the botanical gardens in Kyoto, the Water Garden, with its giant gunnera, the Woodland Garden, with its bluebells, camellias and rhododendrons, and the traditional Cornish Cottage Garden complete with water features and colourful flowers.

Tickets for the ‘Soul Birds’ dance performance cost £12 per adult (children under 11 yrs go free) and include all day entry to the gardens & admission to the show.

To book, visit eventbrite.com/e/the-soul-birds

Champion Trees Trail at Pinetum Gardens

Looking for things to do in Cornwall over May half-term? A new ‘Champion Trees’ trail highlighting 9 of the most notable trees in Britain has been launched at Pinetum Gardens in St Austell 27 May – 4 June.

The ‘Champion Trees’ are part of a national database compiled by the Tree Register; a charity which lists more than 200,000 exceptional, rare and historically significant trees throughout Britain and Ireland.

It’s rare to have so many ‘Champion Trees’ on one site and now Pinetum’s team of gardeners have put together an information trail for visitors to help identify all 9.

Among the floral superstars are a Banksia tree from Australia, a buddleia from Mexico and an extremely rare persimmon tree from China.

“We are extremely proud to have no fewer than 9 Champion Trees here at Pinetum Park and we hope the trail will help showcase them to visitors,” said David Milne, Manager.

“The trees vary in shape, size and colour and our dotted throughout our different garden areas. Each is fascinating and exceptional in its own way and, together, they make for a fun and informative trail which will literally take you all around the world; from New Zealand and Australia to China and North America,” he added.

The Champion Tree trail is the latest addition to the attraction with gardens covering more than 30 acres, which are home to over 6,000 different types of plants and trees from around the world.

Separated in to 10 different themed areas, visitors can explore the famous Pinetum which features 80 varieties of conifer including the giant redwood from America which can reach up to 90 metres in height.

Other highlights include the Japan Garden, inspired by visits to the botanical gardens in Kyoto, the Water Garden, with its giant gunnera, the Woodland Garden, with its bluebells, camellias and rhododendrons, and the traditional Cornish Cottage Garden complete with water features and colourful flowers.

Follow us on FacebookTwitter or Instagram to keep up to date on what’s on at Pinetum Gardens.